Grey becomes UK’s most popular new car colour

59 per cent of 2018 new cars registered in the UK were grey, black or white

Grey overtook black as the UK’s favourite new car colour in 2018, according to the latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Just over one in five of 2018’s 2.4 million new car registrations were painted grey.

In line with the new car market’s performance in 2018, demand for most colours in the top ten was down year on year, apart from orange and beige, which saw significant increases of +37 per cent and +28 per cent.

Orange jumped up to seventh place, while beige made its first appearance in the top ten since 2014 as a number of new and upgraded models had the colour as an option.

Figures show 59 per cent of new cars registered in the UK in 2018 were grey, black or white.

It’s been nine years since a primary colour last sat in the top three, but blue maintained fourth position, while red knocked silver down a place to introduce more colour to the top five.

White has been the biggest loser in recent years, with more than 132,000 fewer cars registered in white last year than in 2015 when it reached its peak.

Top ten car colours of 2018

Grey

Black

White

Blue

Red

Silver

Orange

Green

Bronze

Beige

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “There are more opportunities than ever to personalise your new car to your exact taste, and UK motorists have approached the challenge with gusto in 2018.

“With around 80 new or upgraded models coming to market in 2019 equipped with the latest low and zero-emission powertrains, advanced safety tech and exciting comfort and convenience features, it’s great that buyers have so much to choose from.”